About Us

Rapu-Rapunhons had long valued education as the most significant inheritance they could bequeath to their children. Motivated by this powerful vision of liberating themselves from the clutches of ignorance and poverty, parents sent their children to private secondary schools in Legazpi City. The then 4-hour ride in a small, motorized boat was beset with danger but it did not dampen their spirit. The need for higher education was too great to be ignored, the risk and high cost notwithstanding.

These were the reasons why the plan to put up a Secondary School in Poblacion, Rapu-Rapu was conceived. And, in 1962, the Municipal Council of Rapu-Rapu headed by the late Mayor Amando Q. de la Cruz passed a resolution which sought to create a Secondary School in Rapu-Rapu. It was immediately presented to the Provincial Board of Albay for final approval. The following were some of the provisions of the resolutions.

1. The school site shall be donated by the municipal government of Rapu-Rapu;

2. The school fund shall be provided by the provincial government;

3. The school shall be named ALBAY HIGH SCHOOL-RAPU-RAPU and shall be a sister school of the other Albay High School branches in the province;

4. Administration and supervision of the school shall be under the Bureau of Public Schools-Division of Albay.

So, Albay High School-Rapu-Rapu formally and officially opened in SY 1963-1964 with two classes, first year with 34 students and second year with 24 students. There were three (3) faculty members and three (3) non-teaching personnel.

The school utilized the donated Gabaldon building which was vacated by Rapu-Rapu Central Elementary School. There were two rooms used as classrooms and one big room used as Office of the Principal, Support Staff and Library. Later, two (2) rooms were added to the existing Gabaldon building.

The first Teacher-In-Charge was Mr. Hermie Melgar and in 1964, he was replaced by Mr. Antonio de la Torre. 

In 1965-1966, the first batch of 27 students graduated from Albay High School-Rapu-Rapu.

In 1969, the Bicol Teachers College (BTC) became the Bicol University, the first State University in the Bicol Region. It was implemented through Republic Act No. 5521 on June 21, 1969 sponsored by the late Honorable Carlos Imperial.

The incorporation of the former Albay High School in Rapu-Rapu to the Bicol University was approved by the Bicol University Board of Regents in 1972. Thus, Albay High School became Bicol University Pilot High School (BUPHS).

After staying in the Gabaldon Building from 1963-1974, the school in SY 1974-1975, finally transferred to its permanent location (locally known as BU Site) in a 3 hectare-lot donated by Mr. Jose Hizon Sr. at Nagcahubas, Poblacion , Rapu-Rapu Albay.

Consequently, with the implementation of RA no. 6655, otherwise known as the Free Secondary Act of 1989, BUPHS was turned over by the Bicol University to the Department of Education Culture and Sports (DECS). This was made possible through a memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on May 10, 1989. The signatories were Secretary Lourdes Quisumbing, BU President Patria Lorenzo and Catanduanes State College President. The MOA called for all elementary and secondary schools under School Universities and Collegeswhich were situated outside their campuses to be turned over to DECS.

In 1989, under DECS Order No. 22, s. 1989, BUPHS was absorbed by DECS and it became officially known as Rapu-Rapu National High School (RRNHS). 

From its humble beginning of 58 students in 1963, RRNHS now has 1616 students and currently serves the 14 barangays of Rapu-Rapu Island and 3 nearby barangays of Batan Island.